Related Articles

Fishing with kids is a fun way to share an appreciation for nature and spend quality time together. Fishing has been an important part of life in Philadelphia for hundreds of years. Kids under 16 don&amp;#039;t need a fishing license, as long as they&amp;#039;re with a licensed adult. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission publishes a Summary of Fishing Regulations and Laws to help sportsmen comply with regulations on limits and legal fishing seasons.

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

About one mile from the Philadelphia International Airport, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum protects 200 acres of freshwater tidal marsh. It serves as a feeding ground and resting place for more than 300 kinds of birds, plus deer, turtles, frogs, foxes, muskrats and, of course, fish. Fishing is allowed along the Trolley Bed Trail and the Main Dike Trail of the East Impoundment area and also in the lagoons along route 420. Although canoeing is permitted in the marshes within two hours of high tide, fishing from a canoe is prohibited. All lines must be cast from the banks, with the exception of the physically disabled, who are allowed to fish from the lower deck of the observation platform at the East Impoundment area. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19153 215-365-3118 fws.gov

Fairmount Park

Fairmount Park is an urban oasis, covering ground along the banks of the Schuylkill River, with more than 34 miles of waterways, including streams, creeks and small ponds. One of Philadelphia&amp;#039;s most popular places to go fishing, Fairmount Park visitors have reported catching more than 20 different kinds of fish, including varieties of bass, crappie, herring, sunfish and trout. Fairmount Park Commission Office One Parkway, 10th Floor 1515 Arch St. Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-683-0200 fairmountpark.org&amp;lrm;

Wissahickon Valley Park

Wissahickon Creek is located southwest of the Highway 309 and Interstate 276 junction, adjacent to the Fort Washington State Park and the Phildelphia Cricket Club. The park is part of the 9,200-acre Fairmount Park system and is stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout every spring, midsummer and early fall. For kids, this can mean an easy catch that feeds a love of fishing for many years. Sunfish, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass can also be caught here. Adults who are fishing for trout need to get a trout stamp on their fishing license. Friends of Wissahickon Valley Park 8708 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA&amp;lrm; 215-247-0417&amp;lrm; fow.org